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Side-by-side

Discover it Cash Back vs Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Discover it Cash Back comes from Discover at $0/yr; the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa from Upgrade at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.

FeatureDiscover it Cash BackUpgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa
Annual fee$0$0
Sign-up bonusCashback Match (first year, unlimited)$200 statement bonus
Bonus value (est.)$200$200
Min spend to unlock bonus$0 in 12 mo$0 in 2 mo
IssuerDiscoverUpgrade
Card categorycashbackcash-back
Best earning category (Rotating)5x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
  • 5% rotating categories
  • First-year match
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign tx fees
    Read the full review
    Discover it Cash Back
    $0/yr · Cashback Match (first year, unlimited)
    Read the full review
    Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa
    $0/yr · $200 statement bonus

    Editorial take: Discover it Cash Back

    The first-year Cashback Match effectively doubles your earnings, someone who earns $300 in cash back gets $600 total. It's the best no-fee first card for building credit with real rewards.

    Editorial take: Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa

    Common questions

    Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Discover it Cash Back or Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa?
    The two cards offer comparable sign-up bonuses around $200. Pick based on which earning categories you actually use.
    Is the Discover it Cash Back's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa?
    The Discover it Cash Back has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa's $0 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa's benefits to clear $0 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Discover it Cash Back.
    Can I have both the Discover it Cash Back and Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa?
    Yes, since they're from different issuers (Discover and Upgrade) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
    Should I get the Discover it Cash Back or the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Discover it Cash Back: $0 spend in 12 months. Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa: $0 in 2 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

    Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.